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Buyers claimed 71 properties from foreclosure in auctions held over the weekend in Raleigh and Charlotte. The combined audience of bidders numbered more than 1,100.

The event, held by Auction.com, was part of a 5-day, 10-city Southeast tour. In all, Auction.com expects to sell more than 500 homes.

Buyers in North Carolina spent $4.2 million to purchase the properties.

Auction.com CEO Jeff Frieden touted the auctions as a contributor to the economy. "When Auction.com puts a family into a home, they're paying a mortgage, property taxes, gas, electric and water bill, and they're hiring landscapers, painters and electricians -- all of which fuels the economy," he said.

"We're proud to be one of the few companies in the country today that is actually fueling the economy."

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